The Norwalk boys wrestling team opened the season with a hard-fought 39-33 dual victory over Dallas Center-Grimes on Thursday night at the NPECC. The Norwalk girls, meanwhile, were competitive in a 50-28 dual loss to the Mustangs.

The Warrior boys won 8 out of 14 matches overall, including seven of eight from the 144-pound weight class up to 285. Warrior pins were recorded by Blake Lee at 144, Dominic Tigner 157, Tyler Stanford 175, Harrison Tripp 215 and Kolton Borcherding-Johnson 285. Winning by regular decision were Asaiah Martinez at 113, Liam McLaughlin 150 and Victor Esparza 190. The Mustangs picked up bonus points in all six of their victories with three pins and three technical falls.

There were seven contested matches in the girls dual, which saw Norwalk finish 3-4 with two pins. Madison Froehle picked up a first-period pin at 105 and Kaylie Popiano won by fall at 130. Also earning points for the Warriors were Katie Liedtke with a 12-3 major decision at 170, and Brookelynn Lonnevik (110) and Madelyn Carroll (135) via forfeit. The DC-G girls finished the meet with two pins, two majors and five forfeits.

Both Norwalk teams compete again on Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. The girls will be at Ames and the boys go to the Keith Young Invitational in Cedar Falls.

Basketball teams host Pella tonight

The Norwalk basketball teams begin Little Hawkeye Conference play tonight, hosting Pella in a girl-boy varsity doubleheader at 6:00 p.m. Both games can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS, starting with pregame coverage at 5:45. The Norwalk girls remain fourth in the Class 4A rankings and enter conference play at 4-0 overall. The Warrior boys are 0-1.